Don't buy a dog on impulse for Chinese New Year: SPCA

SINGAPORE - Do not buy a dog on impulse this Chinese New Year, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) urged the public on Monday (Feb 12). In its statement released four days before the first day of the Year of the Dog, SPCA said it was concerned that there may be impulse purchases of dogs this season. "Following the last Year of the Dog in 2006, there was an increase in the number of dogs taken in by SPCA, and in suspected abandonment cases," said the society. SPCA had taken in 3,002 dogs - including surrendered pets, abandoned dogs, lost, sick or injured dogs - in 2007. That figure had been 2,727 in 2006. There was also a spike of nearly 200 lost dogs that went unclaimed, that were suspected abandonment cases in 2007. There were 738 such dogs that year, up from 518 the year before. SPCA said pets "should not be acquired just because it is auspicious ...